7 Things That Really Annoy a True Punekar

The one city in India which houses a people with some very special as well as peculiar characteristics is none other than (no, I’m not doing the drumroll), Pune. We’re much tolerant about most things (the sab chalta hai attitude is inherent here) but we’re also an easy bunch to annoy; especially when it comes to these seven things. Take heed.

Saying Pune is a Sleepy City

Gone are the days when Pune was a pensioner’s paradise. Today, our food and beverage scenes and nightlife can compete with any other metro in the country. From hopping around the most happening bars and lounges, the only thing we want is sleep.

Call it “Poona” One More Time

The British have left and so has their given name. It’s called Pune and pronounced as such. Calling a rose by any other name would smell as sweet; that hogwash worked for Shakespeare, it doesn’t work for us.

Don’t Come Knocking on Siesta Time

We’ve been saying it for centuries: 2-4 pm is a Puneri break period; we cherish our shhh (read zzzz) hours. Please respect it and don’t come knocking, especially unannounced, thank you very much.

Saying Misal Pav is Overrated

Why do you want to mess with the sanctity of our food? There is nothing better that a meal of some bomb misal. We can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner- sometimes all in the same day.

Pune isn’t a Metro City

Unless you’re still living in 2010. On the basis of the Census 2011, Pune was upgraded to ‘X’ from ‘Y’ Class, which means it is now classified as a Tier 1 and/or a Metro City.

Cheering Another City’s/Country’s Cricket Team

Along with some tambda rassa, cricket runs in our blood. We are a patriotic bunch and take cricket very seriously. Cheering for any other team besides our own will lead to some negative consequences around here.

Harping on about “Pune isn’t what it used to be…”

Get over it, things are changing, our city is growing and is a Smart City now. Which means more people, rapid expansion and better infrastructure. Sometimes, we must let go of the old in order to ring in the new. We love our city the way it was, is and what it will grow to be. The time are a-changin’. That said, we will always hold our city (old and new), its culture and emotions close to our hearts!